It has taken me years to develop, test and publish a recipe for a Neapolitan style pizza that could be in a conventional American kitchen. This is partially because ingredients are decidedly different in the United States, especially leavening agents. Mostly, it took me so long to get a pizza recipe right because I am bad at math. Fractions are such a bitch. Converting from the metric system to the non-sensical US “cup” and “tablespoon” system is even bitchier. This is my master recipe for Neapolitan pizza in the conventional American kitchen.

Aggressive dogs, first loves, poseurs, sunshine, mixed-race children, prying family members and modern transportation have all inspired the most iconic Neapolitan songs. Songs that are now famous the world over. So famous they are often the ubiquitously forgotten soundtracks of our busy lives. You have likely heard Neapolitan music in commercials for children’s board games, on elevators and on call center recordings without ever giving the songs and the culture that inspired them a second thought.